Extract of myrothamnus sp for promoting hair growth

Abstract

A botanical extract of Myrothamnus sp. is used in a method for one or more of: promoting hair growth, increasing hair growth, delaying hair loss, hindering hair loss, and increasing the thickness of hair of a subject, in particular the hair of the eyelashes and/or eyebrows. The method includes administering the botanical extract of Myrothamnus sp. to the subject. The extract is one which is obtained using subcritical water as an extraction solvent. Methods of preparing the botanical extract and compositions comprising the extract are also disclosed.

1 .- 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A method of promoting hair growth, and/or delaying or hindering hair loss, and/or increasing the thickness of hair of a subject, the method comprising administering at least one botanical extract of  Myrothamnus  sp. to said subject, wherein the extract has been obtained using subcritical water as an extraction solvent. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the hair is hair of the eyelashes or the eyebrows. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein said method is selected from the group consisting of: a method of lengthening the hair of the eyelashes, a method of increasing the density of the hair of the eyebrows, and a method of increasing hair anchorage. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the extract is obtained from the aerial parts of  Myrothamnus flabellifolia  species. 
     
     
         12 .- 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the botanical extract comprises miquelianin and kaempferol-3-O-glucuronide. 
     
     
         16 .- 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method according to cliam  6 , wherein the botanical extract is administered by application to the eyelash line and/or to the eyebrow. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the hair growth is promoted and/or hair thickness is increased and/or hair loss is delayed or hindered by inducing the proliferation of hair Follicle Dermal Papilla cells;
 inducing the proliferation of keratinocyte cells and/or associated keratins for the formation of hair; increasing blood flow in hair follicles; and/or increasing the synthesis of XVII collagen and a6ß4 integrin in hair follicles.   
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the extract is an aqueous extract in a composition which further comprises a water miscible organic solvent. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein the organic water miscible solvent is a polyol. 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein the aqueous extract and the organic miscible solvent are in a ratio from 1:1 to 1:10 by weight. 
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the extract is in a cosmetic composition comprising at least one cosmetically acceptable excipient or ingredient, and wherein the cosmetic composition is selected from the group consisting of a lotion, a shampoo, a serum, and a mascara composition. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 26 , wherein the concentration of the extract in the cosmetic composition is from about 0.5 to about 5% (w/w). 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A process for obtaining a botanical extract from  Myrothamnus  sp. comprising subjecting plant material of  Myrothamnus  sp. to an extraction with subcritical water, wherein the extraction comprises the steps of:
 i) contacting the plant material from  Myrothamnus  sp. with subcritical water at a temperature of from 120° C. to 220° C., and a pressure suitable to maintain the water in a liquid state for a period of at least 10 min to form an aqueous botanical extract; and   ii) separating the plant material from the aqueous botanical extract.   
     
     
         32 . A process according to  claim 31 , wherein the plant material comprises the stems and/or the leaves of the plant. and wherein the plant material is dried before extraction. 
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A process according to  claim 32 , wherein the ratio of the weight of dried plant material to the volume of water is from 1:10 to 1:40 g/mL. 
     
     
         35 . A process according to  claim 31 , wherein the temperature of the subcritical water is from about 140° C. to about 160° C. 
     
     
         36 . A process according to  claim 31 , comprising the step of mixing the aqueous botanical extract with a water miscible organic solvent. 
     
     
         37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . A process according to  claim 36 , wherein a ratio by weight of the aqueous botanical extract to the water miscible organic solvent is from 1:1 to 1:10. 
     
     
         39 . An aqueous botanical extract obtained by the process of  claim 31 . 
     
     
         40 .- 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . A cosmetic composition comprising the aqueous botanical extract of  claim 39  and a water-miscible organic solvent. 
     
     
         47 . A cosmetic composition according to  claim 46 , wherein the water-miscible organic solvent comprises a polyol which is present in the composition in an amount of from about 0.01 to 20 wt. %. 
     
     
         48 .- 72 . (canceled) 
     
     
         73 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein the organic water miscible solvent comprises a polyol selected from the group consisting of C2-C10 aliphatic hydrocarbyl diols and glycerin.